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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Replacing Main Halyard

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Chris Reyher
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/22/2004 : 23:08:00

I would really appreciate knowing the best way to replace the main (rope) halyard on my 1986 C25 Tall Rig without lowering the mast. I would assume that I would attach the new line to the one I am replacing and pulling it through the I.D. of the mast. What is the best way to connect the two lines so that they will not part midway through the process and not hang up along the way? Does it make a difference which way I run it through the mast? The old line is quite worn and "fluffy". I cannot tell exactly what the diameter of the new line should be. The owner's manual refers to a wire halyard. I suppose that it has been converted to rope at some point in the past by a P.O.

This is my first post on this forum. The information I have gleened over the past months has been most valuable. Hopefully in the very near future I will be able to pass along some tips as I gain more sailing experience!

Chris Reyher
'86 C25,TR,SW,Traditional
#5335, "Peggy J".

Edited by - on

lancej
1st Mate

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81 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 06:58:18

Hi Chris, welcome aboard!

If your new halyard has a headboard shackle spliced to it already, you can only go up one way, from the mainsail side of it. I used electrical tape with good success, just cut the current halyard off clean to remove the shackle and have a helper hold the old halyard end to end with the end of the new halyard, opposite the new shackle. Then wrap electrical tape around the old, very tightly, about 1 to 2 inches back, continue wrapping about 1 to 2 inches on to the new halyard. Be sure to make this connection sound, without adding so much bulk it will not make it thru the sheave. Then carefully pull the old halyard down, passing the new one thru the masthead sheave.

6mm Spectra would be the minumum I would used, but 8mm will be much more comfortable on oyur hands. 10 mm will probably be to large for your masthead to deal with. I used 8mm Spectra spliced to the core, which takes it to about 4.5mm where it passes thru the sheave. Don't use cheap yachtbraid or something like that, or you will never get appropriate tension on your main.

Hope this helps.

Lance
85 FK/SR

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 08:44:12

It is common to use a needle and thread and sew the buts together with a couple stitches to help the tape. If you have not purchased the halyard yet I strongly recommend calling Layline at Layline.com. They will talk you through every possibility, they are having their cordage sale now.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 07/23/2004 08:45:30

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 10:00:23

I tried the end-to-end plus tape thing this spring when replacing halyards. Suffice it to say I had to drop the mast and do it right when the tape pulled loose. I would highly recommend putting a couple of stitches through the ends, PLUS taping.

Brooke

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 15:46:47

Hi Chris, Welcome aboard.

I have an older CDI furler and when dropping the headsail it is necessary to add a pennant to the sail to lower it and be able to raise it again. Cdi has had several techniques employed to this end. Some worked and SOME didn't. I opted to butt sew the two ends together after having other splicing techniques fail. Nothing slows the spring splash more than the haylard parting when the splice snags on the sheave atop the mast and the extra tug parts the two lines.

The same applies to the refitting of any haylard. The best success is acheived by butt sewing the two halves together. I use waxed whipping line to this end and it has never failed. Don't skip on the number of stitches used to hold the halves together...and so I pass it on to you...tried and true.

Best of luck in your work.

Val on Calista # 3936
Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

jackfuller
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 19:41:55

You say your old line is fluffy and worn - it may be because it does not fit the wire sheave. There is lot's of discussion of this topic currently on Sailnet's Morgan discussion group. (sailnet.com) Worth looking at.
Jack

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